Recreational Burn Ban Lifted in Skagit County

Skagit County, WA- The Skagit County Fire Marshal’s Office says that due to the increase in fuel moisture levels, recreational burning is allowed again  in unincorporated areas of Skagit County. Residential yard and land-clearing fires continue to be prohibited.

Recreational fires are those used for cooking or pleasure and consist only of charcoal or seasoned firewood. The Fire must meet the following requirements:

 1·         Fire must be in an enclosure that is a minimum of 16 inches high, no wider than three feet across, and made of cement block, stones, or #10 gauge steel.

 2·         Burned material must be kept lower than the side walls of the enclosure.

 3·         The following must be in the immediate vicinity of the enclosure and present at all times during burning: A charged garden hose; or two, five-gallon buckets of water; or a five-gallon Class-A fire extinguisher and a shovel.

4·         Fires must be 10 feet from any standing timber or combustibles and there must be no tree branches within 10 feet above the enclosure.

 5·         There must be at least one person 16 years of age or older, in attendance at all times, who is capable of putting the fire out

 If you are within the limits of an incorporated city or town, check with your fire department for current burning restrictions.

 If you have questions about open burning in Skagit County please contact the Skagit County Fire Marshal’s Office at (360) 416-1840, or our Outdoor Burning website by clicking the following link at http://www.skagitcounty.net/Departments/FireMarshal/burning.htm.

 Information written and provided by Bronlea Mishler, Skagit County Communications Coordinator